Tag: website

Now that my work/life balance is sorted I can shift my attention back to my website. It’s almost there and will soon have the addition of further “spotlight” spaces for simple advertising and The Shop.

For a bit of background, I have always been a champion of the Mama-brands, the Dad-preneurs and the family run. Focus is on Fashion (in the broadest of terms) along with Design & Lifestyle. I’m again, welcoming collaborations for features. So, if you’re a new or established brand, business, service, or heck – just a Mama gang of one (!!) with something that’s important to you to shout about, then I’d love you to get in touch!

We’ve always just wanted Mr Eli to wear his Converse – just like Daddy (and occasionally Mummy too!). But we noticed that the Con’s just weren’t offering him much support around his ankles; and frankly, his new red Hi-Top’s are absolutely massive a wee bit big.

Eli’s Size 4 Black Converse trainers were too small, his toes are end the toe cap, so he had been wearing his new Red Hi Top Converse – which are a 5. We went to Clarks at the weekend where Eli was measured – his feet came up as a size 3F. The assistant did advise that Clarks sizing does vary against branded shoes, but it did make us think that Eli is really not wearing correct footwear right now. He requires a pair of shoes that will support his feet as he gains confidence in his walking, but also a pair that will encourage him to keep walking. The Converse he has right now seem to deter his walking as they’re ill-fitting, so he’s been mainly in stocking feet. Obviously, he can’t go outside the house like this, so we need to find him so First Walker shoes.

Here the issue begins…

It’s very common for children with Talipes to have odd-sized feet or feet that are on the smaller side. One foot could be a size 4, while the other foot could be a size 6. Meaning many children are bought two pairs of shoes to ensure they have correct fitting shoes for each foot. Clarks DO offer a discount for children affected however – you can read all about the Clark’s Odd Sized Feet Scheme on the STEPS charity website. Luckily, Eli’s feet do match up perfectly – but they are small. We didn’t realise until we started looking at the First Walker shoes in the shop… all of the shoes start at a size 4. The Pre-Walker/Cruiser shoes start at a size 3. But the sole is very thin on these styles and there isn’t the support on the shoe for a child who IS indeed walking.

We were looking online last night. Call me ridiculous if you will, but there are A LOT of boring or frankly unfashionable First Walker shoes out there. I know Eli is not par-taking in a fashion show, but we do take pride in our little man’s appearance, he has his own style. Also, these shoes are not cheap, so we want to make sure we’re all happy with them as he’ll have them on most of the day.

We don’t want velcro – we’re not a velcro family. We’d prefer Eli to be in Desert Boots, Brogue style shoes or at a push, some fashionable trainers. Take a look at the styles we’ve seen so far below…

Sullivan Brogue Shoes, WAS £49 NOW £18.00 – Available from StartRite.com

Sullivan Brogue Shoes, WAS £49 NOW £18.00 – Available from StartRite.com

As you will notice, all of the lovely shoes above start at a size 4. So we’re in a wee pickle. If you have purchased from StartRite.com before, do their shoes match the size guide of Clarks? I’m so tempted to just get the size 4F shoes, especially considering the rate of growth; but can’t be sure that they will fit Eli correctly. So would ideally like to go into a shop to be able to have them expertly fitted.

Can you recommend any other stores where you can buy similar styles to the above? That perhaps start at ‘Clarks size 3F’ or the measured equivalent? (And styles that don’t cost an arm-and-a-leg, to boot).

London Fashion Week design duo Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff are famed for their rebellious take on fashion. This second collaboration with Amazon Fashion is an exclusive collection of four distinctive scarves, in the spirit of the designers’ main catwalk collections.

I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to get involved with this collaboration as I’d very much enjoyed their initial offering with Amazon – and we all know how Meadham Kirchhoff flies out of Topshop!

My absolute favourite scarf from this collection is ‘PEARLS’. The print is so pretty, and of course, I love all things gold. I really like how it’s been styled on the model too (take a look at all the below photos for some unique scarf styling!).

Each silk scarf is pretty massive and measures 120cm x 120cm! So LOTS of value for the £75.00 price tag. These scarves are all limited edition and can only be purchased from Amazon Fashion, here: MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF FOR AMAZON FASHION. PLUS, if you’re UK based you already qualify for FREE delivery – BOOM!

“The Ballerina scarf features the tiny ballerina motif from our Autumn/Winter ’13 collection in a fresh new colourway. The artwork originates from a vintage silk scarf”.Click here to purchase the BALLERINA scarf.

Which is your favourite scarf? And are there any different ways you’d style any of these scarves?

MM.

NB: I was sent the Meadham Kirchhoff x Amazon ‘PEARL’ scarf, for free, for the purposes of this review. All opinions in this review are my own and are 100% honest.

A little while ago I wrote this post >> Wonderful package from The Essential One. I’d received a lovely package from the lovely people at The Essential One; I was touched by the lovely thoughtful note and blown away by the incredible packaging. They really do go the extra mile with making sure their customers feel loved! And that scent…ahhh, the amazing packaging is even filled with their signature ‘just washed baby’ scent. SO GOOD. But more to the point, I was really impressed with the look and feel of the clothing.

After a quick first-time wash I added the bag of three babygro’s to my hospital bag ready for Baby Eli’s arrival. I always wash any new clothes before Eli wears them – it was great to see that the Essential One pieces washed so nicely. They came out of the wash so soft and snuggly! Unfortunately however, Eli was a little on the small side (much to EVERYONE’s surprise!) so he didn’t fit into the babygro’s as a newborn 🙁

This week however, Eli now weighs 9lb 11oz and fits perfectly into them and I just had to share!

Mr Eli having a snug old time in his cosy Essential One babygro!

Mr Eli having a wee snooze in his snuggly Essential One babygro!

I’m a huge fan of independent businesses and would definitely encourage you to support The Essential One! Their clothing is just so scrummy and perfect for your baby or for gifts for your loved ones! Take a look TheEssentialOne.com

Considering that our little babbit is due on the day the London Olympics 2012 being (that’s 27th July 2012 for anyone who has been living under a rock), we’d been searching for a little ‘momento’ to mark the, well, momentous occasion!

We’d been looking at the John Lewis ‘Olympic Shop’ in both Westfield Stratford City and in Bluewater, Kent. We wanted something for our Baby boy that we could keep forever… but something that would also be useful! All of the toys are for 3 years+ (?!!!) so that went straight out of the window, as did pens and keyrings… we wanted something for HIM.

Then we went shopping at Bluewater in Kent for the first time this weekend and had another rummage around the ‘Olympic Shop’. Then we came across a display unit with lots and lots of Baby Grow’s! PERFECT! We saw the Baby Team GB Baby Grow, above, and could not resist. It’s the absolute perfect keepsake! It’s a definite contender for the ‘coming out of hospital’ outfit. Especially if he is born on his due date of 27th July!

You can purchase this brilliant Baby Grow by clicking here, and heading to JohnLewis.com!

Has anyone else joined in the Olympic fun with their soon-to-arrive Olympic Baby(s)?

This week we received a wonderfully packaged parcel from the lovely people over at The Essential One. We’ve been looking in depth at what we need to include in our Hospital Bag (of which I should have had sorted this week, whoops!). One of the essentials that top’s the list to include is of course New Born sleepsuits/baby grows, so we were over the moon when this set of 3 arrived! I cried when I open the outer packaging, how nice is the little note that came with it?! I was touched!

I firstly just want to point out the detail that The Essential One go to with their packaging… everything is beautifully wrapped in their signature tissue and stamped firmly closed with logo stickers. The one other thing you cannot mistake when opening their parcels is the incredible ‘just washed baby’ scent! Absolutely amazing! Our living room filled with this intoxicating just-out-of-the-bath scent, which has made us even more inpatient for our little babbit to arrive! We can’t wait to recreate the smell for real.

So what was in the package then? A set of 3 incredibly soft and cute Baby Grows, that come in a self fabric drawstring bag! The extra bag is going to be so useful. I intend on using it with my changing bag, for additional clothing that we might need on a daily basis! Can’t get over how luxuriously soft the cotton is on these sleepsuits – absolutely perfect for our new born son’s skin. There’s also poppers down each leg for ease of nappy changing.

We're mad on stripes - so this Baby Grow is perfect! The pretty Essential One branding is appliquéd to the back of all three sleepsuits. A nice touch.Love this cute printed sleepsuit!Really sweet baby grow with the signature bunny logo to chest and leg.

You can purchase every Essential you’ll need for your New Born (and upwards) from TheEssentialOne.com Once you’ve had a look, you’ll be hooked! Of course, all of the essentials will also make really nice gifts for expecting parents too!

Actually cannot wait to use these sleepsuits – they’re the first things we’ve got for our Hospital Bag (must must must sort this week!) so we’re really excited:D Not long now!

High Street favourites, New Look, have just re-launched their Maternity range with a bang! They’ve created a dedicated section on their site to shop and explore – with styling and fit guides, as well as how to dress like celebrity-mothers-to-be.

Along with the site relaunch there are some really nice Spring/Summer pieces available. It’s also worth noting that their Jeans range come in a variety of sizes and leg lengths! 34″, 32″, 30″ and 28″ – which is absolutely brilliant considering I’m a petite mum-to-be. This is the first retailer that I’ve so far seen offering a variety of leg lengths – so kudos to New Look!

Here are some of my favourite styles that I’m just going to have to purchase!

Small print: All items which are included in this promotion show the discounted prices on the Boden website. No further discount will be applied in your shopping bag. This offer is valid until 23.59 on 8th March 2012, is available online only, is not for resale or publication and can be used once only.

Let me know what you purchase! I’m heading over to the Boden.co.uk right now!

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DISCLAIMER

All content published on this blog, unless otherwise noted, is the property Claire Briston. If you would like to reproduce any of it anywhere, please contact me first: Never Knowingly Concise.
I love receiving parcels, but note that you will receive an honest product or service review in return. That means, if I don't like it, I probably won't review it. The point of my blog is a positive and informative tool.
Please note that websites accessed via my Shop may contain Affiliate links, which therefore may result in commission for the Website owner and Never Knowingly Concise.
I am currently open to working with new advertisers and will lend a willing ear to discuss potential collaborations or content suggestions. Please do get in touch on the above email, so we can have a chat!
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